Citizenship
Belgian citizenship can either be granted or procured, according to the Belgian national code. Often, minors are granted citizenship automatically; they become Belgian by parentage, adoption, or by being born in Belgium. Procuring citizenship, however, requires the following procedures:
Declaration procedure
After all the documents have been assembled together in the municipality, the prosecution makes a decision on the applicant’s case. If the applicant meets all the legal requirements, they will be granted the right to Belgian citizenship. In a situation where the prosecution rejects their request for citizenship, the applicant can appeal to the court.
Naturalization
The Belgian Chamber Committee on Naturalizations deals with the request. At the moment, this procedure is only applicable to exceptional situations and citizenship is awarded based on merit e.g. the applicant has some exceptional abilities in science, sports, or sociocultural areas. The naturalization procedure often lasts much longer than the declaration process. If the commission rejects the request, an appeal cannot be made.
Publication
2023 Annual report trafficking and smuggling of human beings
Myria is publishing the English version of its 2023 evaluation report, entitled ‘A chain of responsibilities’. With a focus on human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, Myria is calling for more proactive checks and a thorough chain approach.
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Publication
Human rights also apply to single men seeking asylum
8 human rights organisations condemn the decision to temporarily exclude single men from the right to reception within the framework of the asylum procedure.
Publication
2022 Annual report trafficking and smuggling of human beings
Myria, the independent national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings, is publishing its 2022 public and independent annual report in English entitled Bound by debt.
Publication
2021 Annual report trafficking and smuggling of human beings
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre and independent national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings, is publishing its 2021 public and independent annual report in English today: Visibly invisible. Aimed at the Government and Parliament, this report provides an impetus and offers support to the relevant stakeholders.
Publication
Moving to Belgium as an EU citizen
Myria presents the study 'Moving to Belgium as an EU citizen' to the general public. The study points out a number of shortcomings in the registration formalities of EU citizens in the municipality. It contains recommendations to guarantee the free movement of EU workers, self-employed persons and jobseekers and their families.
Publication
2020 Annual report trafficking and smuggling of human beings
In its annual report entitled Behind closed doors Myria hightlights the need to raise awareness on the exploitation of domestic workers, the special attention that needs to be paid to diplomatic domestic staff and the COVID-19 aspect.